Diners at a Burnham-On-Sea pub say they were shocked after a naked man and woman walked into the bar and were served a meal.
Customers at The Railway in Burnham-On-Sea High Street watched on in surprise as the pair, who are naturists, walked into the pub on Friday (June 2nd).
A number of families with children were in the bar at the time when the pair – friends Neil Cox and Danielle Quiggan – were seated by staff before they ordered a meal.
Being naked in public is not an offence. Whilst many naturists will restrict their activities to specially designated areas and/or places where there is a tradition of naked activity, such as nudist beaches, others may wish to enjoy nudity more widely.
Guidance on the Crown Prosecution Service website states on naturism that: “In the case of naturism a balance needs to be struck between the naturist’s right to freedom of expression and the right of the wider public to be protected from harassment, alarm and distress.”
The guidance adds: “In the absence of any sexual context and in relation to nudity where the person has no intention to cause alarm or distress it will normally be appropriate to take no action unless members of the public were actually caused harassment, alarm or distress.”
A spokesperson for the Railway Inn told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We have received both negative and positive comments which we have taken on board, however naturism is legal within the UK and we pride ourselves on inclusivity and welcome everyone’s individuality and differences.”
While some shocked customers have posted complaints on the review site TripAdvisor, others have praised the pub for its inclusivity.
The pub adds: “There have been more positive reviews than negative reviews, praising the welcoming nature, staff and our approach to inclusivity.”
Margaret Lishmund was in the pub when the couple arrived and said: “We visited the pub at 6pm to have dinner. Whilst ordering drinks a couple walked up to the bar naked which was a shock for all in the pub.”
“We expected the bar man to refuse to serve them. There were several families with children in the pub, including ourselves, therefore it was not appropriate for them to be served.”
“We decided to leave the pub and find somewhere else for dinner in town. Unfortunately another family were not able to as they had already ordered food. If you advertise as a family pub you should maintain these values. Locals who frequent the pub apologised to us, but the staff seemed to think this was okay. Very disappointing.”
Customer Sarah L, who had taken her parents to the pub on Friday night, said she was “outraged” to see the pair in the bar and gave the venue a one star rating. She posted: “Appalling. If you want to go to a family pub with average food and staff serving a naked man accompanied by a naked woman then this is for you. Outraged.”
The team of staff at the pub say they had researched the rules on naturism and took the booking and described it as a “learning experience.”
Neil, 34, has been a naturist for several years and lives in Cheshire.
He and Danielle, 35, from London, were on their way for a break in Cornwall when they stopped off in Burnham-On-Sea on Friday evening to see friends in the area.
They had also been in Bristol on Thursday evening, enjoying a naked drink in a pub in the city and walking on Clifton Downs and around the harbourside.
Neil said: “During our break away we were naked most of the time. Where I live there are shops, grocery stores and pubs where I go in regularly that accept I am a naturist.”
“We don’t think the reaction on TripAdvisor was reflective of what actually happened in the pub in Burnham-on-Sea. It was a new place and people were not expecting it and there was an element of surprise when we first walked in.”
“We sat in the corner of the pub and had our meal. People quickly went back to their drinks and got on with their day.”
“After all two naked people sitting in a corner of a pub having a beer and burger quickly becomes boring. Several people came over to us whilst we were there to have a chat and ask questions or request a photo. We had checked with the pub first and got their permission to visit.”
Neil, who last year did a 1,000 mile naked cycle ride across the UK with friends for charity, added: “We also stopped off in Bristol on Thursday night and went to a pub there and received no reaction to us being naked at all.”
“We spent the day walking around Clifton Downs and the Harbourside. We felt very comfortable in Bristol but less comfortable in the pub.”
“I’ve made over 500 visits to shops, bars and other businesses whilst naked and as far as I’m aware not one of those visits has ever resulted in a single negative review. Danielle and I find it deeply saddening that in 2023 an individual has attacked a small business that is trying to demonstrate acceptance and tolerance.”
Being naked in public is not an offence. Whilst many naturists will restrict their activities to specially designated areas and/or places where there is a tradition of naked activity, such as nudist beaches, others may wish to enjoy nudity more widely.
